Slide in bowl for a water pipe smoking device

ABSTRACT

A bowl device for a water pipe includes a metallic main body member that is defined by a combustion chamber, a throat and an exhaust chamber. The combustion chamber includes an open top end, an open bottom end, and a funnel-shaped inside wall. The inside wall includes a rough textured surface that functions to retain residue from burned smoking materials to form a patina over time. The throat comprises a hollow channel that extends downward from the bottom of the combustion chamber to the open top end of the exhaust chamber. The exhaust chamber includes an open bottom end, and an inside wall having a funnel-shaped portion that is oriented opposite to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber, exhaust chamber and throat forming a venturi chamber for moving smoke into the downstem of a glass water pipe, and an O-ring provides an airtight seal between the device and the downstem.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/306,329 filed on Feb. 3, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to smoking articles, and more particularly to a slide in bowl device for a Hookah or water pipe.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Water filtered smoking devices commonly referred to as a “hookah” have been around for many decades. The devices are popular because of the large volume of smoke that is possible to intake in a single breath of air, allowing for more potent draws of a smoking material with less time.

Traditional water pipe smoking devices consist of a main pipe having a volume of water in the bottom portion thereof. A mouthpiece is located along the top of the main pipe, and a downstem/socket pipe passes angularly through the side of the main pipe having a bottom end that is positioned at or below the surface of the volume of water.

A bowl is attached to the top of the downstem and functions to receive a material to be burned and smoked such as tobacco, for example. When a user draws a breath on the mouthpiece, the smoke from the burning material is drawn through the downstem and into the volume of water. The smoke then passes through the water, and into the interior of the main pipe. The smoke then rises and passes through the mouthpiece and into the user's mouth as they continue to inhale.

Traditionally, the bowls for use in such water pipes are constructed from glass which is specifically chosen due to its smooth surface characteristics which prevent buildup of tar and other residues from the smoking material. However, current manufacturing processes are not able to mass produce these types of bowls to include throat sections that are uniformly shaped and sized to an exact tolerance. As a result, users experience differences in how thoroughly the smoking material burns with the same amount of inhalation force when switching between bowls, which is a common practice.

Moreover, because these bowls are specifically designed and constructed from smooth nonstick materials, they are designed to be cleaned after each use and are not able to develop patina which can increase the flavor profile of the smoking material and helps to reduce waste.

The present invention, directed to a slide in bowl for a water pipe smoking device differs from the conventional art in a number of aspects. The manner by which will become more apparent in the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bowl device for a water pipe. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body member that is defined by a combustion chamber, a throat and an exhaust chamber. The combustion chamber can include an open top end, an open bottom end, and a funnel-shaped inside wall that extends continuously from the top end to the bottom end while steadily reducing in diameter. The device can be constructed from metal, and the inside wall of the combustion chamber can include a rough textured surface that functions to retain residue from burned smoking material to form a patina over time.

The exhaust chamber can include an open bottom end, an open top end and an inside wall having a cylindrical-shaped portion and a funnel-shaped portion. The exhaust chamber can include an outside wall that is configured to be positioned within the downstem of a glass water pipe, and the inside wall includes a smooth surface for discharging smoke into the downstem.

A hollow cylindrical throat can extend between the bottom opening of the combustion chamber and the top opening of the exhaust chamber. The combustion chamber, throat and exhaust chamber form a venturi chamber that accelerates smoke moving through the device. In one embodiment, an elastomeric gasket can be provided along the exterior of the device to form an airtight seal with the glass downstem.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowl device for a water pipe that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bowl device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bowl device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bowl device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bowl device and throat pick, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of a slide in bowl device 10 for use with a water pipe that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 .

As shown best at FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the device 10 can include a main body having a generally hourglass shape that defines a combustion chamber 20, a throat 30 and an exhaust chamber 40. The main body may be formed from any number of heat conductive materials that are capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of about 200° F. without deforming or releasing harmful contaminants. Several nonlimiting examples include, but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., steel, cast iron, copper, aluminum, titanium, or alloys thereof), however other materials are contemplated.

In the preferred embodiment, the device 10 will preferably be constructed as a unitary component; however other embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more of the identified components are constructed from a different material, and wherein the components are permanently or removably joined together to achieve the functionality described herein.

In one embodiment, an O-ring 15 or other such gasket can be positioned around the upper portion of the outside surface of the exhaust chamber 40. As noted above, the device 10 is preferably constructed from metal, and thus will expand and contract at different temperatures than the—typically glass—smoking pipe to which it is attached. As such, the O-ring will preferably be constructed from a resilient and elastomeric material such as rubber, for example, and can function to provide an airtight seal between the device 10 and a water pipe when positioned within the opening of the downstem. Of course, the gasket can also include any number of other shapes, sizes and construction materials.

As shown best at FIGS. 2 and 3 , the combustion chamber 20 can include an open top end 21, and an open bottom end 22 that forms the top portion of the throat 30. The chamber can also include an outside wall 23 and a generally funnel-shaped inside wall 24 that extends continuously from the top end to the bottom end while steadily reducing in diameter. The inside wall of the combustion chamber can function to receive and store a smoking material such as tobacco, for example, and the outside surface is configured to be engaged by a lighter or other heat source so as to burn the material deposited within the chamber.

In the preferred embodiment, the inside wall 24 of the combustion chamber can be manufactured to include a rough 25 (e.g., non-smooth) textured surface that can be formed from ridges or abrasions in the metal, among other known manufacturing processes. The rough surface is advantageous and specifically provided to actively assist the buildup of tar and other such residue from the smoking materials along the inside surface of the combustion chamber.

Such a feature advantageously creates patina along the surface so as to increase the flavor profile of each subsequent smoking material and to increase traction between the bowl and the smoking material in order to prevent smaller pieces from sliding downward through the throat and being subsequently wasted. To this end, the specific combination of the metallic construction material, the small throat and the shape of the chambers results in a bowl device that does not need to be cleaned after each use, and actually functions better without being cleaned, as will be described below.

The throat 30 can comprise a hollow cylindrical channel that extends between the open bottom end 22 of the combustion chamber and the open top end 42 of the exhaust chamber 40. The throat functions to permit smoke from the combustion chamber to pass downward into the Exhaust chamber while restricting the passage of the actual smoking material itself. In the preferred embodiment, the throat can include a length (e.g., distance between ends 22 and 42) of between about 0.5 mm to 5 mm, for example) and a diameter of between about 0.1 mm to 3 mm, for example.

The dimensions of the throat portion 30 of the present device 10 are much smaller than the throat portions of traditional bowls and are specifically chosen to prevent interference with the buildup of patina on the roughened surface of the combustion chamber. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the throat includes a different length or diameter.

As shown best at FIG. 4 , wherein the device 10 is positioned upside down relative to the other figures, the exhaust chamber 40 can include an open bottom end 41, and an open top end 42 that forms the bottom portion of the throat 30. The chamber can also include a cylindrically shaped outside wall 43 having an outside diameter that is preferably sized at 10 mm, 14 mm or 18 mm so as to be suitable for insertion within the open end of the downstem portion of a commercially available water pipe. Of course, any number of other shapes and sizes are also contemplated.

In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust chamber can include an inside wall having a generally uniform and cylindrical-shaped portion 44 a that is located adjacent to the bottom end 41, and a generally funnel-shaped portion 44 b that extends from the cylindrical-shaped portion toward the top end 42 while steadily reducing in diameter.

As shown, the funnel-shaped wall portion 44 b of the exhaust chamber can be in an inverted orientation relative to the inside wall 24 of the combustion chamber. It is also preferred that the funnel shaped portion of the exhaust chamber include a length (e.g., distance between top end 41 and the cylindrical wall portion 44 a) and cross-sectional angle (e.g., the pitch of the funnel toward the throat) that is between about 10% and 30% smaller than the length and cross-sectional angle of the funnel shaped inside wall 24 of the combustion chamber. This resulting size and orientation of the components is specifically chosen to form a venturi chamber which increases the speed and flow of the smoke from the smoking article being burned through the device and into the pipe.

In the preferred embodiment, the inside walls 44 a and 44 b of the exhaust chamber can include a smooth (e.g., non-rough) surface so as to specifically reduce or prevent buildup of burnt smoking material and tar, and to aid in the eventual cleaning of the exhaust chamber.

Although described above with regard to a single bowl device having a particular shape or size, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, other embodiments are contemplated wherein a plurality of individual bowl devices can be provided each having the same or a different sized throat or other such component, so as to allow a user to pick and choose a different bowl device for each smoking experience.

In various embodiments, one or more throat picks 50 can be provided with the bowl device 10. As shown best at FIG. 5 , the throat pick 50 can include an elongated member having a pointed distal end 51 and a middle section 52 that is specifically manufactured to include a specific outer diameter such as 0.5 mm, for example. As noted above, because the bowl device 10 is specifically designed to accrue patina caused by the residue of smoking material, it is preferred that the device not be cleaned using traditional methods (e.g., soaking in an abrasive chemical) which would remove the patina.

In this regard, the pick can be used periodically by a user whereby the distal end 51 is positioned through the combustion chamber 20 and the throat 30 so as to remove any material that has accumulated therein. Moreover, the use of a pick in this manner results in a pathway through the throat that is known and uniform each time the device is used. As shown, the proximal end 53 of the pick can include protrusions to aid the user in gripping the device during use.

Although illustrated with regard to a single pick, this is for illustrative purposes only, as the device can include any number of different pick devices each having a different outside diameter so as to permit a user to decide what sized pathway they prefer as the utilize the device with a water pipe.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

As described herein, one or more elements of the bowl device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water pipe bowl device, comprising: a combustion chamber having an open top end, a bottom end, an inside wall and an outside wall; an exhaust chamber having an open bottom end, a top end an inside wall and an outside wall; and a throat comprising a hollow cylindrical channel having a first end that terminates within the bottom end of the combustion chamber and a second end that terminates within the top end of the exhaust chamber, wherein the inside wall of the combustion chamber comprises a generally funnel-shaped member that is configured to receive and burn a smoking material.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the combustion chamber, the throat and the exhaust chamber are constructed from a heat conducting material.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the inside wall of the combustion chamber includes a rough surface.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber is constructed from a heat conducting metallic material.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the inside wall of the combustion chamber includes a textured surface that is configured to retain residue from a burned smoking material to form a patina layer thereon over time.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the combustion chamber, the throat and the exhaust chamber are constructed from a single piece of metal.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the outside wall of the exhaust chamber includes a diameter of about 10 mm, 14 mm or 18 mm and is configured to be inserted within a glass downstem of a water pipe.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a gasket that is positioned along the outside wall of the exhaust chamber at a location adjacent to the throat.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the gasket is constructed from a resilient and elastomeric material, and is configured to provide an airtight seal between the metallic combustion chamber and the glass downstem.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber, the throat and the exhaust chamber form a venturi chamber. 